Chapter 6:
|
---Mary-Kate---
The Doctor said it was normal for Zac to have fallen asleep again, the drugs wouldn't have worn off totally yet.
Diana insisted that I should go home and get some rest. I argued that I should stay and wait for him to wake up.
The Doctor pointed out that he may not wake up again for hours.
So I finally agreed. Unhappily.
We drove back to the house in silence. Anna was fast asleep in her chair, the only one of us blissfully peaceful.
---Ashley---
I quickly walked down the stairs and over to Mary-Kate who'd just walked in the front door.
"How is he?" I asked as I gave her a quick hug
Mary-Kate looked totally out of it and it was a moment or two before she answered "He woke up" She said not quite looking at me "Then he passed out again" She wandered past me and up the stairs leaving me totally baffled.
Diana came in with Anna "I'll look after Anna for her, she needs some rest" She said before disappearing into the lounge.
I nodded though no one was actually in the room anymore.
---Melanie---
Michael and I haven't really talked that much the last couple of days. I wouldn't exactly call it comfortable silence either. I don't know what's wrong and it's driving me crazy!
I was sitting on the couch watching 'The Wedding Planner' one of my favorite movies of all time when Michael came in and sat next to me. As seemed to be the tradition of late neither of us said anything.
On screen Steven had just been told Maria had gone off to get married and was rushing in the general direction of where he thought he was.
I sighed.
Michael glanced at me "You ok?"
"Fine" it came out as a sigh.
He nodded one of those 'like I'm gonna believe that' nods. "You wanna go out?" He asked after a few minutes.
My eyes were glued to the happy ending on the screen and it took me a few moments to register the words "I guess"
The credits started rolling and I sung along with Jennifer Lopez's 'My Love Don't Cost a thing'
"Even if you were broke my love don't cost a thing!" I sang
"Cooooooooome on" Michael took me by the hand and pulled me off the sofa "We're not broke" he said with a wink as we grabbed our jackets and headed out the door.
---Ashley---
Yesterday we said our last good-byes, darling.
Yesterday we gave it one last try
Though we often said that we would never let it come to this
I can only sit and think of yesterday.
Boy this song brings back memories!
Well, it's my first night in Tulsa, and while I'm trying to sleep I'm listening to my Tatyana Ali album. I think I'm falling in love with a song!
Baby that look upon your face
And every tear that I have shed.
We're so far beyond the point of no return!
But I can't let this go, my love.
So inside I must remember baby.
Josh is trying to sleep in the room next door, and the musics probably a little loud and irritating him... hmmm... wait a minute. Do I care?
So how do I mend a broken heart? Tell me baby
And how do I make a brand new start? Baby
Ooooh! How do I learn to love again? When all I do is think of all we planned
And imagine we could someday make it right!
---Josh---
Since when do I enjoy sappy love songs? Especially the type Ashley plays. But right now she's playing one really loudly and I'm totally loving the lyrics. It's a duet, a guy and girl singing, and it's really emotional. I can SO relate to the lyrics.
I dreamed you called my name, called my name
I don't know what it was or why. But I was so certain I heard Ashley call out to me at that moment. She didn't, I know that now. But I was so certain she had that I immediately got up and started for her room.
---Ashley---
As the song continued I started to cry quietly. A thought came into my head and I immediately banished it. It wasn't true! I can't think like that. I'm being irrational. But it echoed again.
'Josh I need you' I didn't say it, or even whisper it. It just raced through my mind for a split second.
And then I felt a sharp pain in my stomach that made my blood run cold with fear.
(Lyric credit to: Tatyana Ali: Yesterday)
Chapter 7:
|
"Ashley" I whispered as I gently pushed her door open hoping it wouldn't squeak "Are you awake?"
There was no answer but I could hear quiet sobbing coming from the location of the bed.
"Ashley? Are you ok?" I flicked on the light and glanced over at her.
She was sitting up in bed her face in her hands, and her shoulders shaking with big sobs.
"Ashley! What's the matter?" I rushed over to her.
She just shook her head, not looking up.
"Ashley, you're freaking me out" I whispered as I gently sat down on the edge of the bed, not taking my eyes of her.
"I'm so scared" she still didn't move her hands.
"Ashley" I leaned over and gently pried her hands from her face. "Tell me what you're scared of!"
She looked at me, her eyes overflowing with tears. Then suddenly just threw herself into my arms. I was surprised but told myself to just savor it. I couldn't count how many times I'd wished she was in my arms again, I'd missed her like crazy! I rested my chin on her head and stroked her hair and told her everything was going to be ok. Eventually she calmed down enough to stop crying.
---Ashley---
So I Freaked out. Then I calmed down enough to think about it and realize that what I felt was probably just the baby kicking. The first time and I hadn't been expecting it so I'd exagerated it in my mind. Only it had got me panicking about what was ahead and now Josh is here and he wants to know what's wrong!
---Josh---
"Ashley" I tried to sound gentle yet firm "Tell me why you were crying and what you're so scared of"
She bit her bottom lip and looked down "I can't...."
"Yes you can" I said, gently lifting her face with a finger under her chin. She looked into my eyes for a moment then opened her mouth.
"I... I'm..." She tried to look away but I stopped her "JoshI'mpregnant" she said all once.
There was total silence as I translated what she'd said. Then there was total silence as I questioned my hearing.
The whole time she looked at me nervously, chewing on a fingernail. Which is totally weird for Ashley cause ever since she quit she's totally hated the idea of doing it again!
"W-... But... How?..." I tried to sort out my thoughts "How long have you known?"
She went a little paler "Um... since the day you left San Fransisco" She whispered.
I stared at her in shock then... "WHAT?!" I roared "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!?"
She started to cry again "I was scared! I didn't know what to do!"
"Ashley! I had a right to know!" I said in a low and angry voice
"I'm sorry!"
I just pulled away from her, got up and left the room. The sound of her sobbing echoed behind me.
---Ashley---
I sat there for a minute, sobbing quietly, then I decided. No! It's not going to go like this! I got up and marched out the door and across to Josh's room. The light was off but I could see his silhouette in the moonlight, standing by the window looking out at the backyard.
"Josh? Please" I said walking over to stand next to him. He turned his back to me. "Josh! I was scared! I didn't know how to handle it. I wasn't thinking rationally. I was 100% freaking out! It wasn't just you, I didn't tell ANYONE. Not even Mary-Kate! The only person who knows is my room mate and that's only cause she heard me throwing up and guessed!"
He leaned his head against the window frame and I didn't know what to do. I reached out and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry I yelled" He whispered.
I nodded then left, giving him time to think. I've had 4 months, he's had 5 minutes.
---Mary-Kate---
I was sitting at the kitchen table eating Snickers Spread (in case you don't know what that is, it's a spread of chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel) straight from the jar when a very tired Ashley walked into the room.
She glanced at me then did a double take. "What are you doing?" She yelped.
I quickly hid the jar behind me and stuck the spoon in my mouth so she couldn't see what was on it "Nothing" I mumbled around the spoon.
She strode over to me and grabbed the jar, one glance at it and she glared at me "Do you realize how many calories this has?!?!"
I sighed "I don't really care Ashley" I said taking it from her and commencing to eat.
She shook her head and walked over to the sink to get a glass of water.
An even more tired Josh walked into the room at that moment "Morning ladies" He said quietly, yawning and rubbing at his eyes.
Ashley glanced at him, quickly drank the last of her water then slipped from the room.
I shrugged and went back to eating. The two of them have been acting strange around each other for the last 4 and a half years, I give up on trying to understand them!
Chapter 8:
|
Mary-Kate left for the hospital, she planned on staying the whole day and had taken Anna with her. She'd tried to convince me to look after her, she's still stuck on me getting used to kids. The irony! But I refused.
I'm currently sitting on the windowseat in my room. It's raining and my mood matches the rain. I feel sick. Truly sick. I don't know what to do. I know I should do something. Say something.
---Ashley---
I'm sitting on the sofa trying to watch tv, needless to say I can barely think of anything else but whats going to come from the information I told Josh last night.
So being a guy, even if barely a teen one.. still a guy, Mac would have to choose that moment to come talk to me. Or his attempt of flirt with me. And honestly what's the boy thinking?
"So... you and Josh are over right?" He asked as he sat down next to me.
"Yeah..."
He nodded "So I'm curious, why is he here? Like, if you guys aren't together any more."
"He and Mary-Kate are really good friends" I said it, but as I did realized it wasn't exactly true. They were friends, but deep down I doubt that's the reason he came.
Mic looked down at his hands and was quiet for a few minutes "Or maybe he's not over you yet" he said it so quietly that for a moment I doubted I'd heard him correctly.
I leaned forward and grabbed the remote, I quickly muted the program I'd been pretending to watch and turned to him "What do you mean?"
He shrugged.
"Mic, tell me"
"I don't know.. I just... it was just the way you two acted yesterday. Just when you were coming in from the car and before you went to take a nap. The way you looked at each other when you thought the other wasn't looking... I'm no professional on this kind of thing, I've never had a girlfriend or anything, but it just didn't look... I don't know... over. I guess"
I take it back, he isn't flirting. He's just shaking everything I know. And making me unsure of what's real. Wonderful. I really need this now.
I got up and started up the stairs. Time to talk.
---Melanie---
Dear Diary!!
EEEEEE!
I know I kind of abandoned this diary years ago. I believe the last time I wrote was during my first week at college. But things got so hectic and I was too busy to write. So I abandoned you diary, I apologize (Why am I apologizing to a book?)
But right now it's midnight and everyones asleep and I need to tell someone my news!!!!
EEEEEEEEE!
Michael and I went out to dinner tonight, it was a spur of the moment thing on his behalf, and the whole night turned out that way. After dinner we were strolling through the park. It was so beautiful all lit up by the moonlight. And he...
PROPOSED!!!
I'm so happy! And SOOO excited!
-Mel
---Mary-Kate---
Zac was awake when I got to the hospital. Diana went shopping, kindly leaving me to time to talk to him, though I'm certain she really wants to too. I took Anna in and set her down on the bed besides him.
He smiled at me and reached out to take my hand, gently squeezing it as much as his strength would allow.
"Hey Anna Banana" He made a face at her and she giggled.
I pulled a seat over and sat down to watch my favorite thing. My husband and daughter together.
I said a silent prayer of thanks that I still had the blessing of seeing them both together.
---Josh---
Be a man. Be a man. Be a man.
I got up and left the room in search of Ashley. It was time we talked. I started down the stairs and almost crashed into her on her way up.
"We need to talk" I said to her.
She just nodded and motioned for me to head back up the stairs.
We walked into my room and she sat down on the window seat. A pulled a chair over and sat down across from her.
"So...." She said quietly. She bit her bottom lip and looked at me, waiting for me to say something.
"So..." I echoed "We're having a baby" She nodded sadly "It's great! You love kids" I tried to sound optimistic
"You don't" She whispered "And the poor thing. Being born into this kind of family."
I was silent for a moment "Do you want me to move back to New York?"
She looked at me quickly "What?" She squeaked. "You'd... you'd do that?"
"Well... yeah... I don't know much about kids but I know having one isn't exactly easy. And it is half mine, so I guess I should help you out a bit"
"Ok" She looked down at the floor then back up at me "I'd really appreciate if you moved back to New York Josh"
Chapter 9:
|
I raced down the stairs and glanced into the lounge. Mic was sitting on the sofa watching tv.
"Where's Ashley?" I asked.
He pointedly didn't look at me as he answered "In the shower"
"Could you tell her I've gone out for some fresh air?"
He nodded and kept watching tv. I sighed and went out the front door.
---Ashley---
"Ashley!" I could faintly hear someone calling over the sound of the water. I turned it down and screeched as it suddenly went cold.
"Yeah?" I asked grouchily when it was finally off.
"I'm going over to a friends house and Josh has gone out for some fresh air" Mic called through the door.
"Ok, have fun!"
His footsteps faded away and I went back to my shower. About 10 minutes later I was out, dressed, totally refreshed and walking down the hallway on my way to the stairs. I was just passing the phone when it ran shrilly causing me to jump and shriek. I seem to be getting into the habit of that lately..
I glanced around and since no one was home I shrugged and answered it.
"Is Diana there?" The woman on the other end asked.
"Sorry she's at the hospital"
"Oh of course, it's terrible what happened to poor Zac. Oh well, I had been hoping Diana could babysit for me today but I guess I'll have to find someone else" She started thinking out loud as to who could do it and I tapped my foot as I waited for her to hang up.
I'd taken to playing with one of the pens next to the phone when I realized...I'm miserable, avoiding my ex husband, my twin, and my not so secret admirer... why not go out for the night?
"I could do it" I offered.
"That's... nice. But, um, who are you?"
"I'm Zac's wifes sisters-"
"Ashley!" She said suddenly "Of course! Diana has said so many nice things about you and Mary-Kate. I'd feel totally comfortable with you baby-sitting"
"Great, Can you pick me up?"
And so it came about. Me... baby-sitting. Oh the irony.
---Michael---
"So, where should we have the wedding?" I asked as I took Melanies hand in mine.
We were walking along the beach discussing out future. I'd never felt so blissfully happy.
Melanie leaned against me as we paused to watch a surfer paddling out to meet a large wave. "Hmmm" Melanie said quietly as she thought. She glanced around her then up at me "Here" She whispered before leaning up to kiss me.
---Zac---
The Doctor says I'm going to be ok. I have a broken leg and a few cracked ribs. Then about a million bruises but otherwise I'm fine!
They say I can go home within a week. But I'll be confined to a wheelchair. Mary-Kate and Anna are gonna stay with me at Moms and in a few more weeks I can go home.
Ashley and Josh will be going home the day after tomorrow apparently.
I'm getting all this info from Mary-Kate of course.
---Josh---
I aimlessly drove around Tulsa for two hours. Just thinking about everything. I'd have to quit my job in Chicago. Get an apartment in New York. Move everything there. Get a new job. And basically start my whole life over again.
If it hadn't been so lousy in Chicago I'd be rather upset by now...
Eventually I decided to go home. I'd avoided talking to Ashley for as long as I could.
However when I got home I was informed of the great news that she was out till late baby-sitting.
I get to procrastinate a little longer.
---Ashley---
"Ok, bedtime Megan" I said clapping my hands together and motioning for the 4 year old to stop watching cartoons and head to her room.
She started to cry "But I wanna watch Rugrats!" She sobbed.
"Cooome on" I said taking her hand. She sobbed all the way to her room, and as she changed into her pjs and climbed into her bed, and then as she decided she needed to go to the bathroom. She only stopped to declare she was hungry.
I sighed and went into the kitchen to get her banana. When I returned I sat next to her on the bed and peeled it. It revealed a brown rotten inside.
"ewwwwwwwwwww!" Megan shouted. I broke off the good half and gave it to her then dropped the other end in the bin.
She finished eating it and I glanced at the clock. Half an hour since I initially said bedtime.
"Good-night" I said firmly as I turned off the light and closed the door behind me.
There was immediately loud crying but I determined to ignore it. I got to the kitchen and sat down at the table to write a letter to Melanie when LOUDLY from down the hall I heard.
"Don't leave me!" Accompanied by a lot of sobbing.
I sighed and got up, walked down the hall and found a crying four year old standing in the doorway of her room.
"Climb into bed and I'll sit with you for awhile" I conceded.
She obeyed and I sat down on the edge of the bed. She immediately reached out for my hand and grasped it tightly between hers
"Don't leave me!" She repeated over and over.
"I think you're faking" I declared
"What's that mean?" She asked innocently.
"Pretending"
"I'm not!" She insisted and started to cry all over again.
I waited 10 minutes then decided she'd fallen asleep, but when I tried to move my hand she immediately gripped on to it tightly "Don't go" She whimpered.
"I need to move my hand though" I whispered.
"Why?"
"Cause it's squashed."
She loosened her grip slightly and I determined to wait a little longer for her to fall asleep. As I watched the bubbles in the lava lamp float upward I realized something.
I'm a marshmellow!!!
Chapter 10:
|
---Josh---
It must have been 2 am when Ashley got back home. I had been asleep when I heard her footsteps in the hall. I stared up at the ceiling as I heard her door close.
Tomorrow then, I decided.
Only now that's now!
It was 10pm and Ashley still wasn't awake. I knocked on her door then stuck my head inside. "Ashley! Pssst" I whispered.
She grabbed the pillow and buried her head under it "What?" Came the muffled and irritated response.
"It's snowing!"
That did it. Having grown up in California and not seeing as much snow as I did in Chicago, Ashley had this major love of the hideous cold stuff! She lept out of bed, grabbed her dressing gown and raced to the window. "It is!" She called happily. She twirled around and ran over to me, placing two hands on my chest she pushed my out into the hallway, then closed the door in my face.
"Ok.. huh?" I asked loudly.
"I gotta get dressed!" Came the happy response.
"Right" I yawned and went back to my room.
---Mary-Kate---
Zoe woke me up at 8am this morning to declare that it was snowing, and had snowed all night. I glanced out the window to see a world blanketed in snow. We hurriedly quickly dressed in our warmest clothes and ran outside. I immediately fell onto my back and started making a snow angel.
A few hours later Ashley and Josh came to join us and I was immediately hit by a snowball from my sweet big sister.
What ensued was an all out war.
Somewhere along the way we seperated into teams. Ashley, Mary-Kate, Zoe and I against Josh. I personally think it's 100% fair. Eventually Mic came out and sided with Josh. I guess he's putting aside his dislike to keep up the male pride.
Yet still the girls were winning.
Just the way I like it!
---Melanie---
Sometime a few days after Michael proposed the reality of the situation set in. There were SO many decisions to make. We had to make the invitations get the minister, choose the clothes, book the honeymoon.... oh man!
We stayed up till midnight last night. Cuddled up together in front of the fire.
We both decided on the first day of spring for the wedding.
I was filled with anticipation but dreading all the work that would come before hand.
I decided my next call of duty was to choose a dress. As I was thinking about this I remembered something. When Ashley eloped I'd been so disappointed. After seeing Mary-Kate's beautiful wedding dress we'd promised each other we would choose our wedding dresses together.
It was something I'd really looked forward to doing and had been really mad at Ashley when I found out she not only didn't ask me to choose her dress with her, she got married in her graduation clothes!
But anyway, I'd got over it and Ashley had sworn she would help me choose out my wedding dress. And now the time is here. Time to give Ashley a call.
---Ashley---
Mary-Kate and Zoe were slowly backing Mic into the side of the house with snowballs, and I'd taken to attacking Josh. Maybe he was just being 'nice' but it was an even battle. Me winning one minute, him the next.
"Josh, I'm surprised" I feigned surprise "Letting a woman beat you? Well now..."
The taunting worked and he immediately started fighting harder. My clothes were dripping wet from snow and I had glistening white snow all through my hair.
He pelted me with 3 snow balls in a row and I put my hands up to shield myself. I squealed happily and crouched down to make my own. Before I could even pick up the snow, Josh crashed into me knocking me over to the ground.
Suddenly remembering my condition I let out a truly fearful cry as I fell. The thick snow cushioned my fall and I suddenly felt stupid for my reaction.
Josh was immediately at my side "Oh man, I'm sorry, Are you ok? I totally forgot"
I opened my mouth to say I was fine but before I knew it he'd picked me up and was carrying me inside to the sofa.
"Truly I'm fine" I insisted as he set me down.
Mary-Kate, Zoe and Mic followed us inside. Their faces questioning.
"Ashley, whats going on?" Mary-Kate asked.